Canoe / Kayak Training Courses

PCC Kayak Beginner/Improvers training course

Our Beginners and Improvers course starting on Tuesday 19th
February 2019 is now FULLY BOOKED. Next course will now be October 2019.

PCC runs various paddling courses throughout the year for beginner and intermediate paddlers; usually in the winter season to take advantage of the pool. These courses are subject to demand and the availability of coaches so vary from year to year.

The next available course is starting February 2019. You can download an
Application Form for full details. (A Microsoft Word version is also available). The course runs over 8 weeks with 8 sessions taking in place in the pool of a Tuesday evening plus 5 further Tuesday evening sessions in the sea. All equipment, including boats, are provided and the fee of £130 includes the one year club membership -
AND a club T-Shirt! Bargain!!!

Training Course Aims

To provide a structured introduction to paddle sports,
with focus on kayaking. The course will be targeted to provide the students
with the skill set to exceed the BCU Two Star syllabus in kayaking.

At the end of the course students will have:-

A
range of paddling and safe boat handling skills

Self and peer rescuing knowledge and ability

Awareness of good safe practices and key trip planning
considerations

Understanding of Paddlesport possibilities and
responsibilities

The course starts in an indoor swimming pool
where all the key skills are introduced in a safe and comfortable environment.
Five later sessions will be based from Paignton Harbour, where cold salty water,
(small) waves and (light) wind are introduced. There is then space to experience
longer sea boats, though the majority of course activities will typically be
done using Acrobat 275 and river running/creek style boats. Although the course
is focused in kayaks there may be tasters of canoeing for experience.

The local environment outside the harbour will
be used to provide an enjoyable context to develop accurate boat handling
skills. Later on one to two hour journeys provide the opportunity to explore
coastal features that many Torbay residents are unaware of. This gives a real
appetite for further progression for the huge majority of new paddlers. If
conditions are inappropriate then the coaching will be harbour or shore based.

Assessment is done as formative and takes place
continuously, thus ensuring coaching focuses on individual needs, and avoids the
pressure of passing an exam at the end of the course. On successful completion
the student gets a Paignton Canoe Club certificate, which has a marked up BCU
syllabus on the back.

Students typically complete the course feeling confident,
competent and enthused to join in Club events. This provides for many
longer term paddler development opportunities in a safe friendly environment.